Sims Witherspoon

Sims Witherspoon, a leader at Google DeepMind's AI research lab, discusses the transformative role of AI in tackling climate change. She delves into how neural networks can optimize renewable energy systems, particularly wind power, to enhance predictions about Earth's ecosystems. Witherspoon emphasizes the importance of collaboration across scientific and sociopolitical realms to effectively combat this global crisis, suggesting that AI might be crucial for achieving a carbon-free energy future.

AI researchers and climate researchers discuss the environmental impact of AI models, mining for essential minerals, reimagining transportation for sustainability, battery recycling, and using satellites and AI to monitor greenhouse gas emissions. They also explore the challenges of space debris collisions and harnessing AI for wind energy and electricity supply forecasting to mitigate climate change.

The ambition of much of AI research is to create systems that can help to solve problems in the real world. In this episode, Hannah meets the people building systems that could be used to save the sight of thousands, help us solve one of the most fundamental problems in biology and reduce energy consumption in an effort to combat climate change. But whilst there is great potential, there are also important obstacles that will need to be tackled for AI to be used effectively, safely and fairly.If you have a question or feedback on the series, message us on Twitter (@DeepMind using the hashtag #DMpodcast) or email us at podcast@deepmind.com.Further reading:Wired: Inside DeepMind's epic mission to solve science's trickiest problemDeepMind blogs on the partnership with Moorfields NHS eye hospital and predicting eye disease, and Moorfields’ news announcement on its research with DeepMindDeepMind blog: AlphaFold: Using AI for scientific discoveryDeepMind blogs on reducing Google’s energy bill for datacentre cooling and how this project has progressedResearch paper: Tackling Climate Change with Machine LearningQuanta magazine: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing ScienceDeepMind blog: How evolutionary selection can train more capable self-driving carsOther examples of the application of AI for real-world impact include:Francis Crick Institute: machine learning models that can help predict heart diseaseNASA: AUDREY machine learning system to better guide first responders through firesUniversity of Southern California: Protection Assistant for Wildlife Security using AI to help wildlife conservationInterviewees: Pearse Keane, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital; Sandy Nelson, Product Manager for DeepMind’s Science Program; and DeepMind Program Manager Sims Witherspoon.Credits:Presenter: Hannah FryEditor: David PrestSenior Producer: Louisa FieldProducers: Amy Racs, Dan HardoonBinaural Sound: Lucinda Mason-BrownMusic composition: Eleni Shaw (with help from Sander Dieleman and WaveNet)Commissioned by DeepMind Please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you enjoyed this episode. We always want to hear from our audience whether that's in the form of feedback, new idea or a guest recommendation!